Throttle control



E n A w M P.

THROTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 28; 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet l amend/(M RMI l az'ie 0d. 15, 1946. P. M. wArrE THROTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 28, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 0d. 15, 1946. p w

THROTTLE CONTROL I Filed Sept. 28, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 15, 1946.. P. M. mm; 2,409,231.

THROTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 28, 1943 l -6 .Sheets-Sheei 5 Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,409,231 THROTTLE CONTROL Philip M. Waite, Corry, Pa. Application September 28, 1943, Serial No. 504,184

This invention relates to throttle controls for airplane engines and is an improvement over the construction shown in my copending application Serial Number 424,080, filed December 22, 1941, for throttle controls, and is a coninuation in part and an improvement over the construction embodied in my copending application Serial Number 467,882, filed December 4, 1942 for Throttle controls.

In the regulation of the speed of an aircraft, it is very desirable that the pilot of the plane be relieved as much as possible of adjusting either simultaneously or in sequence the positions of the various engine and propeller regulating levers. Heretofore, individual regulating levers have been provided for regulating the position of the main throttle, the operation of the supercharger, and the operation of the propeller pitch changing mechanism. The prior structure, which is known as a quadrant, required that the pilot manually shift each control or regulating lever in synchronism with the various instruments on the ins-trument panel, and during combat operations the pilot frequently is unable to adjust the several levers in their proper sequence, thereby resulting in improper engine and plane operation.

-It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a throttle control which will eliminate the personal element in engine and plane operation, and which will automatically and mechanically synchronize the operation of various regulating levers with adjustment by the pilot of the main throttle lever. With a construction of this kind, the pilot will be able to keep one hand on the throttle lever and the other hand on the stick, and it will not be necessary for the pilot to divert his attention from an enemy plane to his instrument panel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a throttle embodying a swinging cam member which is positively rocked by swinging of the main throttle lever, and it will be understood that there may be one or more of these cam members and secondary levers for regulating the desired part or parts in properly timed sequence with the adjustment of the main throttle lever. I

To the above objects and others which may hereinafter appear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of this invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which Claims. (Cl. 74-471) fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a throttle control constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail side elevation of the auxiliary or secondary lever operated in synchronism with themain lever,

Figure 4 is a detail front elevation of a modified form of this invention,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line fi6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line of Figure 9,

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation partly broken away and in section of the device,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation on the side opposite from that shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 0-40 of Figure 8, H

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front elevation of the adjustable stop for the main lever, and

f Figure 12 is a detail side elevation of the swinging cam element.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to 3, there is disclosed a throttle control or quadrant which includes a frame structure generally designated as I5. The frame structure i5 includes a front sector-shaped frame member I6 and a rear sector-shaped frame member IT. The two frame members I6 and I! at their lower portions are formed with a disc-shaped hub l8 and I9, respectively, and the frame members It and I! are held in spaced apartrelation at their upper portions by spacing members 20 which are secured to the frame members !6 and H by holding bolts or fastening members2 l.

The lower portion of the quadrant or throttle control is formed with a stationary hub or pivot member 22 which is ofcylindrical construction and is disposed between the plates or disc-shaped members l8 and IS. The hub or stationary pivot 22 has mounted in the opposite ends thereof discshaped plates 23 and 24 and a securing bolt 25 is extended through the plates or disc members l8 and I9 and also through the disc members 2 3 and 24. I

A main throttle lever 26 which is adapted to be connected to the throttle of an internal combustion engine is pivotally mounted on the pivot member 22. The throttle member 26 includes an elongated lever arm 21 which at its lower portion is formed with a ring-shaped hub 28 rotatably engaging about the stationary cylindrical pivot member 22. A lower lever arm 29 extends from the hub 28 and is formed with a plurality of openings 39 through which fastening members may be extended to adjust the leverage of the linkage connected to the lever arm 29.

A second lever generally designated as 3| is rockably mounted .on the hub or pivot "member 22 and includes a ring-shaped hub'part 32 rotatably engaging the pivot member 22, a lever arm 33 formed with an opening 34 at its outer portion, and a right angularly disposed lever arm 35. The arm 35 extends below the frame structure and is formed with openings 36 for receiving securing means to connect the arm 35 with the desired part which is to be adjusted in synchronism with the adjustment of the throttle member 26. .As an example the arm 35 may be connected either to the propeller adjusting mechanism or to a supercharger. It will, of course, be understood that there may be one or. more auxiliary. or secondary levers mounted on the pivot member 22 and adjusted in synchronism with the adjustment of the main throttle lever 26.

The pivot member 26 has mounted thereabout a cylindrical spacer 31 disposed/at oneside of the main throttle .lever. 26, and a friction ring 38 is interposed between the adjacent end of the spacer 3'? and the side of thehub 28 ofthei throttle lever 26. A second spacer ring39' is mounted on the pivot member22 on the opposite side. ofthe hub 28 and a friction ring 46 is interposed between the confronting faces of the ring 39 and the hub 28. A ring-shaped spacer 4| ismounted on the pivot member 22 between the'frame member I1 and the hub 32 of the lever 3!. A friction ring 42 is interposed between the confronting end of the spacer 4| and the adjacent sideof the hub 32. A frictionv ring 43 is also interposed between the confronting sides of the spacer .39 and the hub32,

The lever 3| is adapted to berocked. in syn- .chronism with the rocking .or swinging of the main lever 26 and at a differential movement by means of .a pivoted .oam plate-44. The cam plate 44 is provided with an arm 45 connectedto .one end of the body 46 of .the cam and the arm45 is .adapted to be .rockably mounted on one of the bolts 2| which hold the frame structure together. The body 45 of the cam is formed withan irregularly shaped cam track 41 which has such a configuration extending lengthwise of the cam body 46 as to provide a differential rocking movement of the secondary or auxiliary lever 3|. The end of the body 46 opposite from the arm 45 has pivotally secured thereto as at 48 one end of a link 49. The opposite endof the link 49 is pivotally secured as at 59 to the outer end of the arm 33 of the lever 3|. As at present shown, the cam track 41 is provided with arelatively sharp upwardly extending track portion which communicates with a downwardly inclined straight track portion 52, and the. latter communicates with an obtusely related cam track portion 53. The first cam track portion 5| is provided in order to effect .a..rapid downward rocking of the lever 3|, and the cam track portion 52 which is the intermediate cam track portion is adapted to provide an intermediate dwell or inactive cam track portion wherein the lever 3| will be held stationary while the main throttle 26 is being rocked forwardly or to the right, as viewed in Figure 1. The obtusely. related and upwardlyinclined cam track portion 53 provides for the final downward rocking of the lever 3| at the end of the movement of lever 26 to the right.

The main throttle 26 has mounted thereon a roller 54 which engages in the cam track 41, the roller 54 being rotatably carried by a roller support 55 which is fixed to the main throttle 26.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 12, inclusive, there is disclosed a modified form and production model of a throttle control or quadrant. The throttle shown in Figures 4 to 12 includes a frame structure generally designated as 56 which is somewhat similar to the frame structure [5. The

framestructure 56 includes front and rear frame members 51 and 53 of sector-shape having formed at their lower portions ring-shaped pivot sup- I porting members 59 and 69, respectively. A sta-' tionary cylindrical pivot member BI is mounted at the opposite ends thereof in the annular frame members 59 and 65. Preferably, an end plate 62 is threaded into one .end of thestationarypivot 6| and is seated at its outer end in a rabbet 63 .formedin the annular framemember .56 .and is secured therein by fastening members 64.

A main throttle lever, generally designatedv as 65, is rockably mounted on the pivot member 6|, being formed with an elongated lever'arm 66 having a ring-shaped hub 61 rotatably engaging the pivot member 6|. An angularly disposed and sidewise projecting arm 63 is fixed to the lever arm 66, being shown .more clearly in Figure'lO. The arm 68 in the present instance, is riveted ,or otherwise fixed, as at 69 to the arm 65. In the present instance, the main throttle member 65 is formed of an.inner arm 10 and outer arms or plies H and 1 A'spacer ring:'|3 is'mounted on the pivot member 6|"at the rear side of the lever 65 and a friction ring 14 is interposed betweenthe confronting end of the spacer '13 and the adjacent end or side of the hub 61. A secondary or auxiliary lever, generally designated as '15, is rockably mounted on the pivot member 6| forwardly of the lever 65. The secondary lever i5 is adapted to be connected to a suitable part which is operated in synchronism with the main lever'65 and as an example may be connected to either the supercharger or to the propeller pitch adjusting mechanism.

The lever 15 includes an annular hub '26 which is rotatably mounted on the stationary pivot 6|. An angularly disposed relatively wide arm His formed integral with the hub 76 and is formed with a pair of elongated lengthwise extending slots 18. An adjustable arm '19 is secured by fastening members 80 to the arm 11, and preferably, one side of the arm 11 is formed-with a series of serrations or teeth BI "and the arm 19 is formed with complementary serrations so that the arm 19 which is disposed at an obtuse angle to the arm 11 may be adjusted toward or.from the pivotal center of the lever 15. The arm 19 extends in the same direction as the arm 68 of the main lever 66 and is formed adjacent the outer end thereof with an opening 82 for receiving securing means to secure one end of alinkage to the arm 19. A U-shaped guard or shield 83 is mounted on the lever arm 19 andhasxthe parallel sides thereof engaging on the opposite sides of the fastening members 88.

A second lever 84 is formed integral with the arm 11 and extends outwardly at a substantially .acute angle with respect to the length of the arm 19. The outer end portion of the lever arm .84 isformed with an obtusely disposed .U.-shape d arm portion 85. A rockable cam element, generally designated as 86, is mounted in the frame Structure 56 and comprises an elongated longi tudinally curved plate 8'! which is formed with a cam track 88. One end 89 of the plate 81- is pivotally mounted ona pivot member 90 which is supported within the frame 56 by a pair of supporting members 9i and 92.

The supporting member BI is the rearmost cam supporting member and is secured to and extends laterally of the lowermost frame securing bolts 93. The supporting member 92 is of substantially L-shape as shown in Figure 10 and includes a lower arm 94 secured to the two lowermost fastening members 93 and also includes an upwardly extending arm 95 which. is secured to the upper fastening members 93. The cam track 88 includes an arcuate track portion 95 disposed on substantially the are having as its radius the center of the pivot member 6! so that during the initial rocking of the main lever 65, the cam plate 81 will not be rocked therewith. The cam track 88 includes an upwardly extending track portion 91 communicating with the track portion 96 which is disposed on such an angle as to effect a rapid downward swinging of the secondary lever 15.

The upper end of the track portion 9'! communicates with a second arcuate track portion 88 which may be disposed on an arc having as a center the center of the pivot member 6! so that during the last rocking movement of the main lever 65 the cam plate 81 will not be rocked therewith. The plate 81 at the end thereof opposite from the pivot 92! is formed with an elongated slot 99 in which a sliding pivot member Hill is adapted to slidingly engage. The pivot I is secured between the opposite parallel sides of the U-shaped arm portion 85 as shown more clearly in Figure 8 so that rocking of the cam will effect rocking of the secondary lever I through the lever arm 84 and the extension 85.

The main lever 65 is provided on one edge thereof with an extension III! in which a pivot member or pin I02 is secured. The pivot member I02 may be in the form of a roller or the like which is adapted to engage in the cam track 88 so that the came 86 will be rocked in a differential movement with rocking of the main lever 65.

A spacer ring IE3 is mounted on the cylindrical pivot BI between the levers 65 and I5 and a friction ring IE4 is interposed between the rear side of the spacer I03 and the forward side of the hub 61. A friction washer I85 is interposed between the forward side of the spacer ring I03 and the rear side of the hub I6 of the secondary lever I5. A spacer ring I86 is mounted on the pivot member 6! forwardly of the lever '55 and a friction washer I Ill is interposed between the rear side of the spacer I36 and the forward side of the lever I5.

In the present instance, the spacer IIIB has socured thereto an electrical coupling unit I88 for connecting a switch carried by the outer upper end of the lever 85 with the desired portion of the airplane. The hub or pivot member BI is formed with an opening IE9 through which the wires may extend and the spacer Iilt is also formed with an opening IIIl communicating the coupling I08 with the interior of the pivot member 6|. The pivot member BI is also formed with an elongated arcuate opening III beneath the lever 65 so that the wires from the coupling member I08 may be extended through the opening III to the upper end of the lever 65. r

A third manually operable lever H2 is rockably mounted on the pivot member 6| forwardly of the spacer I68. The lever H2 may be used for regulating the mixture of the fuel passing through the carburetor of the engine and the lever I I2 is independent in its movement with respect to the main and secondary levers.

A friction washer I I3 is interposed between the hub of the lever I I2 and the forward side of the spacer I58, and a second friction washer II lengases on the forward side of the hub of the lever H2. The several levers which are mounted on the pivot member 8i are adapted to be regulated as to their free rocking movement by means of a resilient spider H5, The spider II5 bears against the friction ring H4 and is mounted on a centrally disposed bolt IIB which is secured at one end to the plate 62.

A securing pin I I7 extends through the bolt I56 and a boss IIB is formed on the plate 62 so as to lock the bolt H6 against rotation. A discshaped plate IE9 is slidingly mounted on the interior of the pivot member 5i and a hand wheel $29 which is provided with a boss I2I is threadably mounted on the forward end of the bolt H6. The rear end of the boss I2I bears against the sliding plate H9 which bears against the spring spider I is so that adjustment ofthe hand wheel or not iZil will place the desired tension on the spider H5, and the latter will place the desired frictional tension on the several levers which are mounted on the pivot member 6 I. v

The arms of the spider II5 loosely extend through lengthwise extending slots I22 which are formed in the forward end of the cylindrical pivot member GI. A limiting nut I28 is threaded on a reduced stud I24 carried by the outer end of the bolt IIS so as to limit the outward adjustment of the hand wheel I20. In this manner the wheel I25 cannot be accidentally removed'from the bolt IIS when it is turned in a tension released position.

A longitudinally curved spacer bar I25 is mounted between the two levers and H2 and longitudinally curved friction bars I25 and I 2-1 are interposed between the rear side of the bar I25 and the forward-side of the lever 65 and between the forward side of the bar I25 and the rear side of the lever I I2, respectively. A rear longitudinally curved spacer bar I28 is interposed between the rear frame member 58 and the rear side of the lever 85' A second longitudinally curved bar I29 which is formed at one end with an enlargement I 38 is disposed on the forward side of the spacer I 28 and a friction bar I3I is interposed between the bar I29 and the rear side of the lever I25. The friction bar I26 at one end thereof is also formed with an enlargement I32 having an elongated curved slot I33 through which one of the upper frame fastening bolts 93 loosely engages.

The two enlargements I38 and I32 extend upwardly of the top of the frame 56 as shown in Figure 4 and these enlargements are provided with. aligned holes I33 and I34, for selectively receiving a frangible wire I35, The inner ends I35 and I3! of the enlargements I38 and I32 constitute stops for the lever 65. The lever 65 has slidingly mounted thereon a spring pressed latch member I38 provided with a handle I39 and the lower end of the latch member, H8 is adapted to normally engage the stop members I36. A circu lar eccentric Ito is mounted on an upper-frame 7 bolt 93 between the spacer .I26 'fand the: friction bar I3I.

In practice during the'n'ormal operation of th engine, the lever 65 will stop at the stop member I36, but if an emergency speed is desired the latch I38 may be raised so that the main lever 65 may be moved an additional distance depending on after the pilot returns to the ground can determine at a glance whether the emergency speed 'was used by the pilot.

Where such emergency high speed is used, the normal practise is to take the engine down and examine the same very carefull to determine what part or parts were damaged by such emergency speed. An elongated longitudinally curved spacer bar MI is interposed between the forward frame member 51 and the lever I I2 and a friction bar I42 of longitudinally curved configuration is interposed in the rear side of the bar MI and the forward side of the lever'I I2.

A cover plate I43 is mounted on the front side o f the frame '56 and is formed with an opening isdin thelower portion thereof through which the'hub orboss I'2I of the hand wheel I20 loosely engages. The plate N43 is also formed with an elongated relatively large opening I45 which pro- Vides a means for giving access to the fastening members 80 on the secondary lever. Mixture lever Ii2 has secured thereto an angularly extending lever arm I46 disposed forwardly of the throttle lever arm 68 and the propeller pitch changing arm or lever I9.

In the use and operation of this control or quadrantthe lever arm 68' is connected by suitable linkage'to' the engine throttle and the lever arm I46 is connected to the mixture adjusting portion of the carburetor. The lever arm I9 is connected to the propeller pitch changing mechanism and the entire unit is mounted on the fuselage of the plane at a point convenient for the pilot. In Figure 4, the main throttle is shown in an intermediate position, wherein the propeller pitch mechanism is adjusted for a portion of the adjustment thereof, the adjusting pin I02 riding in the straight cam track portion being positioned substantially midway of the length of this cam track portion.

In the off position the lever 65 will be at the extreme left and in the full on or high speed lever 65 will be at the extreme right. Rocking of the lever tfiwill cause the pin or roller I02 to move alongthe length of the cam track 88, and from the initial off position of the lever 65 to the beginning of the cam track portion Q'L'the cam 8t will remain stationary and the lever I will remain stationary. However, when the roller or'pin I02 enters the beginning of the cam track portion 91, the cam 86 will be rocked downwardly at a speed greater than the rocking movement of the lever arm 68 whichis fixed to the lever 55.

When the pin I02 passes out of the upper portion of the cam track portion 97 and enters the arcuate cam track portion 90, cam 86 will again remain -stationary, holding'the' lever '55 stationary while lever 65 is'rocked for the remainder of the rocking movement of this lever to the right. It will, .of course, be understood that the "configuration'of'th'e'cam' track 08 may be any desired con- Figures 4 to 12, inclusive.

'8 figuration :dependinguponthe desired movement which is to be effected with respect to the'secondary lever -15. V The operation of the structure shown inFigures 1, 2 andS will be quite similarto that described as to the control .mechanism shown in It will be understood that if additional levers are to be connected with the main lever 65 for-differential movement with respect thereto, it is only necessary to provide additional cams and other connections similar to that heretoforedescribed.

With a quadrant or control as herein, it is unnecessary for the pilot of a combat plane to operate the individual controls for the different mechanisms manually and at the same time view the instrument board in order to determine the proper movement .for adjustment of the several control levers with respect to the .engine operation which is regulated by the main throttle. In other words, this control provides a synchronized mechanism operated from and by the main throttle lever which will relieve the pilot of any adjustment of the secondary lever or levers, and will relieve the pilot of the necessity during emergency comb-at operation-to manually adjust the secondary levers in conjunction with the engine speed, as shown by the usual instruments on the instrument board.

This control is a very compact unit and has been placed in actual operation on combat planes and is found to serve a long-felt need for pilots in combat planes.

What I claim is:

l. A control device comprising a frame, astationary pivot carried by said'frame, a main lever rockable on said pivot, a secondary lever also rockable .on said pivot, said secondary lever including a pair of angularly related arms, an elongated cam plate pivotally carried at one end thereof by said frame and provided with a cam track, a link pivotally connecting the opposite end of said cam plate to one arm of said secondary lever, and means carried by said main lever engagingin said cam track whereby rocking of said main lever'will also rock said secondary lever in the same direction as the main lever in either direction of the movement of said main lever.

2..A control device as set forth in claim 1 in which the cam track is so formed as to provide for differential movement of said secondary lever with respect to said main lever.

3. A control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the other of said arms is adjustable as to the length thereof.

4. A control device comprising a frame,a stationary pivot in said frame, a lever rockable on said pivot, a second two-arm lever rockable on said pivot, a camplate pivoted at one end thereof in said frame, means pivotally securing one arm of said second lever to the other end of said cam plate, and means carried by said first lever en gaging said cam whereby to rock the latter upon rocking of said first lever in the same direction as said first lever in either direction of the movement of said first lever.

.5..A control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one arm of said 'second lever is formed with a reverted end and said cam plate pivotally engages in said reverted end.

6. A control device as set forth in claim '4 wherein the other arm of said second lever is adjustable as to length.

7. A control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the other arm of said second lever is formed of two angularly disposed members, and means adjustably securing said members together whereby the distance of one of said members from the axis of said pivot may be varied.

8. A control device comprising a frame, a main lever pivotally carried by said frame, a secondary lever pivotally carried by said frame, a common pivot for said levers, and means pivotally carried by said frame and correlated with both of said levers providing lost motion of said secondary lever in at least one phase of movement of said secondary lever with respect to said main lever in one direction, for eifecting the differential movement of said secondary lever with respect to said main lever in another phase of movement of said main lever in the same direction in either direction of movement of said main lever, said correlated means including a cam element pivotally supported at one end by said frame, a cam engaging member carried by said main lever, and a linkage connecting the other end of the cam element with said secondary lever.

9. A control device comprising a frame, a main lever pivotally carried by said frame, a secondary lever pivotally carried by said frame, a common pivot for said levers, and means pivotally carried by said frame and correlated with both of said levers providing lost motion of said secondary lever in at least one phase of movement of said main lever in one direction and for effecting differential movement of said secondary lever with respect to said main lever in another phase of movement of said main lever in the same direction, said correlated means including a plate formed with an elongated cam track, means pivotally securing one end of the said plate to said frame, a link connecting the opposite end of said plate'to said secondary lever, and a roller carried by said main lever engaging said cam track.

10. A control device comprising a frame, a main lever pivctally carried by said frame, a second lever pivotally carried by said frame, a common pivot for said levers, a second lever operating plate pivctally carried by said frame with the fulcrum thereof offset from said common pivot, said plate having a cam track therein, a link connecting said plate with said second lever, and a part carried by said main lever engaging in said cam track, rocking of said main lever effecting differential rocking of said second lever in the same direction as and with said main lever in either direction of the movement of said main lever.

PI-HLIP M. WAITE. 

